1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
I didn't like walking around the murky campground without a flashlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the murky shadows of the cemetery
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3
as in hazy
filled with or dimmed by fine particles (as of dust or water) in suspension
skies made murky from the smoke of forest fires that were many miles to the west
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4
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
a murky reply to a question about his intentions
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5
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly
a gubernatorial candidate with a murky position on the hot-button issue of capital punishment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of murky
Housing plans Prospects for Pritzker’s ambitious package of proposals to build more housing in Illinois seemed murky Friday, though several pieces of legislation have inched forward in recent days.
—
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
Every couple of years, the water turns murky, regardless, and the whole tank has to be drained and refilled, explains Polojärvi.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
The perfect piece of avocado toast or bowl of guacamole is at the mercy of whichever day your avocados decide to ripen—and then, that window of time is short before the avocados turn on you, going from bright green to murky brown in a matter of hours.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Season 4, which premiered in early April with weekly releases, picks up with Ayanokoji in his second year and brings a new slate of characters with murky motivations.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for murky
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
Every couple of years, the water turns murky, regardless, and the whole tank has to be drained and refilled, explains Polojärvi.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
The perfect piece of avocado toast or bowl of guacamole is at the mercy of whichever day your avocados decide to ripen—and then, that window of time is short before the avocados turn on you, going from bright green to murky brown in a matter of hours.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Season 4, which premiered in early April with weekly releases, picks up with Ayanokoji in his second year and brings a new slate of characters with murky motivations.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for murky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murky
Adjective
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She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If the second section presents the diagnosis, then in the footnote to Howl Ginsberg writes a prescription, because if we’re oppressed by a dark faith then the only antidote is a different one.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Villains could hide in the giant banyan tree or lurk in the spookily dark new flotation room; a fight scene might involve someone crashing down the waterfall-wall in the centre of the wellness centre.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Scientific consensus is that this opaqueness is caused by hazy banks of clouds that are masking the atmospheres, but what kind of aerosol particles are in the clouds?—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
4 June 2026
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This led Holland and the Bero team to look beyond traditional beer flavor profiles and the current lineup that includes a hazy IPA and lager-style pilsner.—
John Kell,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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The entity known as Mother is left ambiguous, as is the tree inside the Cave of Wonders, but there are hints to their true nature.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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If a serious spending-reduction effort were somehow mounted anyway, the result would likely be positive for bonds — but ambiguous for equities, since the economic drag could easily outweigh the benefit of lower interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Shared progress grows when comfort leads the way and one warm connection turns a vague hope into movement.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
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Workers thought the vague language of the law could be enforced, but employers thought otherwise.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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This year, though, is things are looking bleak.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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Charli and preeminent pop divas Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande are releasing some of the bleakest music of their careers just in time for summer, the traditional season for party anthems and celebratory bangers.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Ciudad Perdida, Colombia Hidden deep within the misty peaks of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the ancient city of Teyuna—better known as Ciudad Perdida—is one of South America’s most extraordinary archaeological sites.—
Carla Vianna,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
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There, mountain gorillas roam the misty Virunga Mountains, a volcanic range shared with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or D.R.C., and Uganda.—
Mary Holland,
Air Mail,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Although Suki Waterhouse did confirm that she is set to attend, most of the couple's friends have been very cryptic about the status of their wedding invites.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
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Coaches and teammates have struggled to remain in contact with him, and AIyuk’s rare social media posts have been both cryptic and lacking clues about his football ambitions.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Murky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murky. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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